If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering what to do next. You need to find a good car accident lawyer who can help you deserve the compensation.
The car accident attorneys with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. are dedicated to helping personal injury victims get the best possible outcome in their case. We have years of experience handling auto accident cases, and we know how to get results. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Waldorf Car Accidents
There are several things that can cause a car accident, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield
Most Common Waldorf Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including:
How to Avoid Getting Into a Car Accident
To avoid getting into a car accident, you should never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and make sure you are well rested before getting behind the wheel. It is also important to follow all traffic laws such as speed limits, stop signs, and yield signs. In addition, wearing your seatbelt will reduce the likelihood of suffering life-altering injuries. However, seatbelt use will not prevent all injuries. Many people suffer serious injuries, even when wearing a seatbelt. In fact, sometimes the seatbelt itself can cause an injury.
What Should I Do if I am in a Car Accident?
If you have been in a car accident, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately, even if you do not feel injured. You should also exchange information with the other driver involved in the accident, including name, address, phone number, insurance company, and policy number. Then call a car accident lawyer to help you file a claim.
How Much Will a Maryland Car Accident Attorney Charge?
Most car accident lawyers in Waldorf, Maryland, offer free initial consultations and do not charge a fee unless they win your case. They will be paid on contingency, meaning their fee is usually a percentage of what you recover from the other driver or insurance company responsible for the accident.
What Should I Do If My Car is Damaged?
If your car has been damaged in a car accident, you should call your insurance company to report the damage and request an estimate. You may also want to call a mechanic for another opinion on what needs repair or replacement before filing a claim if there is any dispute about how much it will cost.
What Kind of Personal Injury Attorney Do I Need for My Case?
If you have been injured in a car accident, you need to find a good car accident lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve. A car accident lawyer is an attorney who focuses their practice on representing clients who have been injured in auto accidents. They know the law and how to get results for their clients. You should look to see if the lawyer you are evaluating has good reviews online. You should look to see if they are rated by services that rate lawyers such as Washingtonian Magazine, Superlawyers, Best Lawyers, and US News and World Reports.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for My Waldorf, Maryland Car Accident Injuries?
If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. It is important to speak with a car accident lawyer to find out what type of damages you may be able to recover. These include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are typically awarded in cases where the injury is serious or permanent. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement (scarring or other cosmetic changes), mental anguish, and loss of consortium (relationship with a spouse).
Economic Damages
Economic damages can be easily quantified, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious, reckless, and done with an evil motive Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant and deter them from engaging in similar behavior again. Punitive damages are not common in car accident cases, but they may be available in Maryland if you can show that the other driver was acted with malice.
Car Accident FAQ’s
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Maryland Car Accident Claim?
The length of time it takes to settle a car accident claim depends on several factors, including the extent of your injuries and whether or not there are any disputes about who is at fault for the accident. It also depends on how much insurance coverage you have available and what type of policy (i.e. liability, uninsured motorist coverage, etc.). Car accident claims can be settled within a few months, or can take a few years.
Can I File a Car Accident Lawsuit If the Other Driver Was Uninsured?
Yes, you can file a car accident lawsuit even if the other driver was uninsured. You may be able to recover money from your own insurance company or the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund.
What Should I Do If the Other Driver Was at Fault for the Accident and No One was Injured?
If the other driver was at fault for the accident and no one was injured, you may be able to file a claim with their insurance company without hiring an attorney. However, it is always a good idea to speak with one of the Maryland car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. to find out your options and get advice on how to proceed.
Can I Sue the Other Driver If I Was at Fault for the Car Accident?
If you were at fault for the car accident, it will be difficult for you to recover. However, it is always a good idea to speak with an attorney to determine if you were actually at fault. You may feel you could have done something to avoid the collision, but the law may provide that you were not at fault.
What Should I Say to the Negligent Driver’s Insurance Company After the Collision?
You should tell the negligent driver’s insurance company that you do not want to give a statement until you have spoken with an attorney.It is always a good idea to speak with our personal injury attorneys before speaking to anyone from another party’s insurance company, including their adjuster or lawyer.
Should I Accept a Settlement from My Insurer?
You should not take an unfair car accident insurance settlement. You may be able to negotiate with the insurance company for a higher amount. Still, it is usually best to contact a lawyer who can help you through this process and ensure that your rights are protected.
How Seriously Do My Injuries Need to Be to Pursue a Car Accident Claim?
The seriousness of your injuries is one of the factors that will determine whether or not you should pursue a car accident claim. If your injuries are minor, it may not make economic sense to pursue a claim. Generally, you must at least have suffered some physical injury to file a claim. However, if you have suffered emotional distress as a result of the accident, you should discuss with a personal injury lawyer to see if you can pursue a claim for non-economic damages (i.e., pain and suffering).
Should I Admit Fault for My Car Accident to the Insurance Company?
You should never admit fault for your car accident unless you are sure that you were, in fact, at fault. Even if it appears obvious who was at fault, other factors may have contributed to the collision. It is always a good idea to speak with a car accident attorney before making any statements that could be used against you in court.
What is the Statute of Limitations in Maryland?
The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. In Maryland, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years. This means that you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
What Type of Claim Should I File?
Here are some of the claims car accident victims can file after a car accident
- A property damage claim is for damage to your vehicle.
- A personal injury claim is for injuries you suffer as a result of the accident.
- A wrongful death claim is for damages suffered by a person who has died as a result of a car accident.
Why Should I Hire Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. for My Waldorf Car Accident Case?
The Waldorf, MD car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to perform thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence needed to establish liability and negligence.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the most respected attorney-ranking service organization in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
We Get Results
Here are some of the car accident cases we have obtained settlements for:
- $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
- $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
- $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
- $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
- $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
- $1 million settlement on behalf of client suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.
Contact a Waldorf Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.